ElecLink

ElecLink is a HVDC electrical interconnector under construction between the UK and France, passing through the Channel Tunnel. It is being constructed by a subsidiary of Getlink, which owns the tunnel itself. ElecLink is expected to be operational in 2022 following several delays due to safety concerns.

ElecLink
Location
CountryFrance, United Kingdom
General directionsouth-north
FromPeuplingues, France
Passes throughEnglish Channel
ToFolkestone, UK
Ownership information
OwnerGetlink
Construction information
Manufacturer of conductor/cablePrysmian[1]
Manufacturer of substationsSiemens
ContractorsBalfour Beatty
Construction started2017
Expected2022[2]
Construction cost£490m[3]
Technical information
Typesubmarine cable
Type of currentHVDC
Total length51 km (32 mi)
Power rating1,000 MW
DC voltage±320 kV
No. of poles2
No. of circuits1

The 51 km DC cable runs between converter stations at Peuplingues in France and Folkestone in the UK, with an additional 14.5 km of underground AC cable on the English side, and 3.5 km on the French side, to link the converter stations to the existing transmission networks.[4]

ElecLink is the first UK interconnector to be entirely funded by private finance, without being underwritten by electricity consumers.[5]

Construction

Work commenced on the project in 2017,[3] with the overall design and installation of the project being handled by Balfour Beatty, the converter stations being constructed by Siemens,[6] and the contract for manufacturing the HVDC cables awarded to Prysmian.[1] The foundation stone of the Folkestone converter station was laid in February 2017, by Jesse Norman MP, Minister for Industry and Energy.[6]

In 2019, the Anglo-French Channel Tunnel Intergovernmental Commission (IGC), which oversees the safety of the Channel Tunnel, suspended part of the project's consent due to concerns about safety of the HVDC cables within the tunnels.[7] This decision prevented the cables from being installed. The IGC was expected to make a final decision on whether the cables can be installed in April 2020, based on a recommendation from the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority,[8] however this approval was again delayed due to further safety concerns and the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]

In December 2020, the IGC announced its approval of the project, with the cable expected to be installed by summer 2021 and commercial operation expected to start in mid-2022.[2]

A specialist, 500 m long, battery-powered works train was manufactured for the project to allow the HVDC cable to be installed.[9][5]

See also

Other interconnectors between the UK and France include:

References
  1. Sharpe, Lorna (24 February 2017). "ElecLink awards Channel Tunnel interconnector construction contract". E&T. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  2. "UK-France Eleclink power interconnector approved". Argus Media. 21 December 2020.
  3. Shrestha, Priyanka (24 February 2017). "Work begins on £490m UK-France power link". Energy Live News. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  4. "What we do". ElecLink. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  5. "The ElecLink Project" (PDF). ElecLink. November 2019.
  6. "Eurotunnel Press Release 23 Feb 2017" (PDF). eleclink. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
  7. Spero, Josh (24 March 2019). "'Eyebrows raised' over Eurotunnel cable finance disclosure". Financial Times.
  8. "IGC Statement on ElecLink project". Channel Tunnel IGC. 9 January 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2020.
  9. "Channel Tunnel interconnector installation train completed". Railway Gazette. 4 March 2018.
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